Friedrich herrmann



( No Model.)

F. HERRMANN.

' LIFE PRESERVER.

Patented Sept. 27, 1887 ATTORNEY @HT/VESSES:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRIEDRICH HERRMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LlF E-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettezs Patent No. 370,538, dated September 27, 1887.

Application filed January 31, 1887. Serial No. 225,953. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH HERRMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in life-preservers, the object being to provide a device of this character which shall be simple and economical in construction, and which shall be capable of being Worn beneath the clothing without any inconvenience to the wearer; and with such ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction,aswi1l be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view in front elevation of my improved lifepreserver. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of one of the air-chambers inflated.

A represents the two air-chambers, constructed, preferably, of canvas or other fabric so treated as to be impervious to air, and secured to the support B, made of canvas or other suitable material. The chambers A are each constructed of the two compartments a 11, leading from one into the other,in the form of a bellows, for the purpose of allowing them to be folded when not inflated. The two chambers A are connected by means of the pipe G,which is connected at its middle point with the pipe D, having at its upper end the mouth-piece c, by means of which the two compartments A are inflated.

To the support B is secured a strap, E, adapted,when the life-preserver is in position on the body of the wearer,to pass around the back of the neck and assist in retaining it in position. To the ends of the support B are secured the straps F, adapted to pass around the back'of the wearer, and through the slots or openings d in the support, after which they are tied, as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of securing the device in position.

G represents a spring-clasp designed to be attached to the pipe D for the purpose of pre venting the escape of the air through such pipe when the chambers A are inflated.

The operation of the device is as follows: The life-preserver is placed in position by passing the strip E around the neck and the straps F around the back through the openings d in the support B, and tying them, as shown in Fig. 1, the air-chambers A fitting opposite the chest. The said chambers A are then inflated by blowingthrough the pipe D, the air passing through the pipe (0 into the compartments a and b. After said chambers have been filled with air the spring-clasp G is attached to the pipe D, compressing it and effectually preventing the escape of the contained air. WVhen it-is desired to empty the life-preserver of the confined air, the clasp G is removedfrom the pipe D, allowing the escape of the air through the mouth-piece c.

It will now be understood from the above description that my invention is exceedingly simple in construction, can be manufactured at a small cost, and may be worn beneath the clothing, the bellows-like construction of the chambers allowing them to fold flatly, and in thickness not much greater than an ordinary garment. The pipe D, leading upward to within a short distance of the mouth, may be hidden from View by the outer garment of the wearer.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a lifepreserver adapted to be worn beneath the clothing and constructed with two communicating air-chambers secured to a support, a pipe for filling the chambers and connected to the pipe through which said chambers com municate, and straps for holding the device in position, substantially as set forth.

2. A life-preserver constructed with two communicating air-chambers each of which is formed with two compartments, a pipe connecting the two chambers, and a pipe connected with said latter pipe and through which said chambers are inflated, snbstansubstantially as and for the purpose de- [0 tially as set forth. scribed.

3. The life-preserver hereinbefore de- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in scribed and constructed with two eommnnipresence of two witnesses. eating air-chambers secured to a support, the

pipe 0, connecting the said chambers, pipe RIEDRIOH HERRMANN D, connecting with said pipe 0 and through Witnesses:

which said chambers are vinflated, and a AUGUST KOOHENDOERFER, spring-clasp adapted to fit on said pipe D, JosEF KILLIAN. 

